PARIS (France): Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will clash for the 58th time on Friday on the same court where they first met 15 years ago with a place in the French Open final at stake.
It is tennis’s greatest modern rivalry between two men who have harvested 38 Grand Slam titles between them and 72 Masters.
Djokovic has spent more weeks at world number one than any other player while 13-time French Open winner Nadal has not been out of the top 10 in 16 years.
“It’s a well-anticipated semifinal and here we are,” said Djokovic. “We had some battles over the years on this court.”
Nadal will start Friday’s semi-final as favourite, buoyed by his record of 105 wins and just two losses in his Roland Garros career.
The 35-year-old also has the edge over Djokovic on clay with a 19-7 career lead and 7-1 in Paris.
Djokovic hasn’t beaten Nadal on the surface since Rome in 2016.
He can, however, boast being one of only two men to have defeated Nadal in Paris, in the quarter-finals in 2015.
Nadal defeated 2016 champion Djokovic in straight sets in last year’s final, the Serb’s third loss in the championship match in Paris to the Spaniard.
There is plenty at stake on Friday as the two rivals close in on Sunday’s final.
Whoever makes it to Sunday’s final will have their work cut out.
Tsitsipas is 2-7 against Nadal and 2-5 playing Djokovic.
Zverev is 3-6 when taking on Nadal and 2-6 facing Djokovic.
